Winterline Global Skills

School Description

Programs to fit your passions

Winterline Global Education offers skills-based gap, semester and summer programs for young adults with an adventurous spirit and an interest in the world around them. You will learn real-world skills to prepare you for college, life, and career while traveling the world and exploring your passions. Produce a documentary film. Launch a business. Learn to scuba dive. Build a tiny house. Practice authentic Thai massage. These are just a few of the experiences you could have on our programs. Do something new. Learn by doing. Prepare for life.

Welcome to Winterline Global Education!

We are a unique and innovative global gap, semester and summer program organization, offering high school graduates and young adults the opportunity to step out of the ‘rush to and through college’ and explore what they really want to do with their lives. We believe that high school graduates are much better prepared for college – and for a career – when they take the time to explore and pursue a wide variety of possible interest and skills.

What specific skills will students learn on the program? Winterline Global Education introduces students to a wide diversity of skills – but all of them very practical. Students learn life skills such as cooking, caregiving, and personal money management; job skills such as customer service and negotiation; communication skills such as effective public speaking and the making of digital media presentations. These are just a few examples of the core competencies students will learn while on the program. Here is a more detailed listing. How is the Winterline Global Skills Program different from other “gap" programs?Most “gap” or “bridge” year programs offer students the opportunity to volunteer in another country, or to “get to know themselves better” and “make a difference in the world.” As praiseworthy as these efforts are, at Winterline we feel that in order for young adults to actually offer something, they need to have the skills to do so. A gap experience is an extremely valuable time when students can lay a foundation for a successful college experience by gaining a diverse set of skills and being introduced to a wide range of job and career options. Add to this the value of international travel and exposure to global issues and concerns, and you have a program unlike any other. How will this program better prepare young adults for college or university?The Winterline Global Skills Programs offer very practical life and career building skills. They are not “college prep” programs offering to coach in academic subject areas, yet by giving students a chance to explore their interests, gain skills and consider career options, they enter college or university with a much clearer sense of direction and purpose. They know what they want to get out of life and they know how to get there. additional support and guidance in the college application and decision-making process. Are there any prerequisites for joining your program?There are no specific prerequisites to joining a Winterline Global Skills Program besides an inquisitive mind, a “can do” attitude, and a willingness to take risks, make mistakes, and grow through the process. Students are expected to be physically fit and flexible enough to meet the stresses and demands of traveling in the developing world. Do you have an age requirement?Applicants must be between 18 and 22 years of age as of Sept. 1, 2016.

Each week, a new place. In 9 months, across 10 countries in 3 continents, you'll travel from the urban jungle to the wilderness, from mountains to the open ocean, from rich industrial environments to impoverished villages in developing nations. It will be the busiest, most challenging, constructive, fun and exhilarating year of your life.
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This is not your typical gap year.

In 9 months, across 10 countries in 3 continents, you'll travel from the urban jungle to the wilderness, from mountains to the open ocean, from rich industrial environments to impoverished villages in developing nations.

You will learn how to build a house, cook a meal, manage your finances, sail a boat, speak in public, serve a customer, negotiate a deal, and drive a car safely.

You will learn how to help save a person's life when far removed from medical help.

You will develop skills in negotiation, critical thinking and problem-solving, and in team-building and leadership. You will learn how governance works, and will put it into practice on a day-to-day basis. You will be taught how to operate power tools and heavy machinery such as forklifts and tractors....
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Whether it’s a one-person startup or a multi-national conglomerate, business is business. Find out if it’s for you, and acquire valuable skills that will help you succeed in college and in life. You’ll visit four of the world's leading innovation hubs and do much more than observe. You’ll design your own startup, learn to sell, negotiate, present, network – and ultimately think like a business person.
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International Business & Entrepreneurship

Whether it’s a one-person startup or a multi-national conglomerate, business is business. Find out if it’s for you, and acquire valuable skills that will help you succeed in college and in life. You’ll visit four of the world's leading innovation hubs and do much more than observe. You’ll design your own startup, learn to sell, negotiate, present, network – and ultimately think like a business person. Then we will take you to SxSW, a leading innovation conference.

From building a website to managing your finances, you’ll learn the skills that will help you succeed in college and in life, and gain insight into business as a college major or career choice....
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70% of the earth is ocean; here’s your chance to explore it in ways few people get to experience. Discover plants, animals and entire ecosystems living underwater. Learn water skills -- sailing, boating, sea kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving and more. Investigate coral reef restoration and sea turtle rehabilitation. Experience the thrills of caving and zip lining. Oceans can be hazardous – you’ll learn first aid, navigation and safe diving.
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Ridge to Reef Exploration

JANUARY 22 – APRIL 27, 2018 US, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica 70% of the earth is ocean; here’s your chance to explore it in ways few people get to experience. Discover plants, animals and entire ecosystems living underwater. Learn water skills -- sailing, boating, sea kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving and more. Investigate coral reef restoration and sea turtle rehabilitation. Experience the thrills of caving and zip lining. Oceans can be hazardous – you’ll learn first aid, navigation and safe diving. Discover the unspoiled Earth in Belize, Honduras and Costa Rica. You’ll work with the world-famous Scripps Institute of Oceanography. And you will challenge yourself physically and mentally, while connecting with a part of our world we could not live without. Skills Highlights...
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Want a future that is both exciting and meaningful? Welcome to the new energy economy! In this program, you’ll learn skills you can use for a course of study, a future career or simply as a conscientious, energy-efficient citizen. See firsthand how countries like Germany and Austria are embracing energy efficiency. Calculate your environmental impact. Install solar panels. Discover smart cities, smart buildings, smart cars. Build a tiny house. Learn to construct a greywater system, install a wood stove, retrofit a home.
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Skills for a Green Future

SEPTEMBER 5 – NOVEMBER 30, 2017

US, UK, Germany, Austria
Want a future that is both exciting and meaningful? Welcome to the new energy economy! In this program, you’ll learn skills you can use for a course of study, a future career or simply as a conscientious, energy-efficient citizen. See firsthand how countries like Germany and Austria are embracing energy efficiency. Calculate your environmental impact. Install solar panels. Discover smart cities, smart buildings, smart cars. Build a tiny house. Learn to construct a greywater system, install a wood stove, retrofit a home.

And learn to take action, to drive green solutions through leadership, collaboration and teamwork. The future is green – find your place in it....
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This program is like our nine-month Global Skills Gap Year program, but for those with limited time. Experiment, explore, acquire a lifetime of skills in just 12 weeks! You’ll travel the world and learn skills that are valuable (personal finance, cooking, navigation), eye-opening (milking cows, sewing clothing, Thai fishing), introspective (group dynamics, critical thinking, conflict resolution) and just plain fun (scuba diving, mixology, horseback riding). Every day will be challenging. Every day will be new.
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Winterline Global Skills Program: 12 –week

Costa Rica, Thailand, Cambodia, US This program is like our nine-month Global Skills Gap Year program, but for those with limited time. Experiment, explore, acquire a lifetime of skills in just 12 weeks! You’ll travel the world and learn skills that are valuable (personal finance, cooking, navigation), eye-opening (milking cows, sewing clothing, Thai fishing), introspective (group dynamics, critical thinking, conflict resolution) and just plain fun (scuba diving, mixology, horseback riding). Every day will be challenging. Every day will be new. If you want to venture into the wider world, while also exploring the farthest reaches of yourself, this is the program for you. Skills Highlights:...
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Whether you’re interested in a career or a life-changing experience, This program is about connecting you to the earth. You will learn about earth-sustaining concepts, like permaculture design and building with natural materials. You will explore environmental sciences, by monitoring sea turtles and propagating coral reefs. And you will acquire important (and fun!) expeditionary skills, like scuba diving, rock climbing, caving, among others. All while acquiring personal skills like leadership, collaboration, resilience and critical thinking.
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Work & Live in the Wild Course

Einstein said “Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better.” Whether you’re interested in a career or a life-changing experience, This program is about connecting you to the earth. You will learn about earth-sustaining concepts, like permaculture design and building with natural materials. You will explore environmental sciences, by monitoring sea turtles and propagating coral reefs. And you will acquire important (and fun!) expeditionary skills, like scuba diving, rock climbing, caving, among others. All while acquiring personal skills like leadership, collaboration, resilience and critical thinking. Challenging? Yes. Unforgettable? Life-changing? Yes, and yes! Skills Highlights:...
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Summer courses

Travel the world, build skills, and fuel your passions during Winterline Global Skills' Summer programs. You’ll gain hands-on experience in your areas of interest, discover what make you tick, and build lifelong friendships. You’ll understand how what you do impacts others throughout the world, and learn how to build from it. If you’re considering a field of study but not sure yet if it’s right for you, this is your opportunity to try it out while working with and learning from our incredible partner organizations. Get ready for the best summer ever.
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Discover Your Passions. The Best Summer Ever.
Travel the world, build skills, and fuel your passions during Winterline Global Skills' Summer programs.
You’ll gain hands-on experience in your areas of interest, discover what make you tick, and build lifelong friendships. You’ll understand how what you do impacts others throughout the world, and learn how to build from it. If you’re considering a field of study but not sure yet if it’s right for you, this is your opportunity to try it out while working with and learning from our incredible partner organizations.
Get ready for the best summer ever.
Summer Business Intensive

Looking for a Summer Business Intensive? We have it! Success in business is driven by “people” skills – negotiation, presentation, communication, finances, networking, etc. In this program, you’ll experience it all hands-on. So what you learn will be useful every single day through life and college whether you end up studying business or not....
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From a quick video on Facebook to a big budget movie, people love stories. What’s your story? Learn how to tell it. Writing a script. Lighting a scene. Storyboarding, editing, sound recording – every process and skill. You’ll learn from professionals: BBC writers and University of the Arts instructors in Stockholm. You’ll explore future technologies like VR and drone piloting. And of course, you’ll make your own short film, and also get to attend an international film festival.
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Discover Your Passions. The Best Summer Ever.
Travel the world, build skills, and fuel your passions during Winterline Global Skills' Summer programs.
You’ll gain hands-on experience in your areas of interest, discover what make you tick, and build lifelong friendships. You’ll understand how what you do impacts others throughout the world, and learn how to build from it. If you’re considering a field of study but not sure yet if it’s right for you, this is your opportunity to try it out while working with and learning from our incredible partner organizations.
Get ready for the best summer ever.

Travel the world, build skills, and fuel your passions during Winterline Global Skills' Summer programs. You’ll gain hands-on experience in your areas of interest, discover what make you tick, and build lifelong friendships. You’ll understand how what you do impacts others throughout the world, and learn how to build from it. If you’re considering a field of study but not sure yet if it’s right for you, this is your opportunity to try it out while working with and learning from our incredible partner organizations. Get ready for the best summer ever.
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Discover Your Passions. The Best Summer Ever.
Travel the world, build skills, and fuel your passions during Winterline Global Skills' Summer programs.
You’ll gain hands-on experience in your areas of interest, discover what make you tick, and build lifelong friendships. You’ll understand how what you do impacts others throughout the world, and learn how to build from it. If you’re considering a field of study but not sure yet if it’s right for you, this is your opportunity to try it out while working with and learning from our incredible partner organizations.
Get ready for the best summer ever.

JUNE 24 – AUGUST 13, 2017

Global Gastronomy

Spain, Italy, France, Thailand, Cambodia, US Whether you dream of being a chef, owning a B&B or just want to know how to host a killer dinner party, this program delivers. You’ll explore different types of food prep. Visit a culinary arts university in Spain. Discover the craft of wine-making and mixology. Learn the cross-cultural art of hospitality. Immerse yourself in food as the heart of human culture, from professionals around the world. Skills Highlights:...
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